It wants a fixed rate of 7.09 cents per kWh, down from the 9.35 cents offered to projects completed before June 30 last year, it said in a recent proposal to the government.

Solar panels seen in a project in Ninh Thuan Province.

The new tariff will apply to projects that were begun before November 23 last year and start commercial operations between July 2019 and the end of this year.

To be effective for 20 years, it has not accounted for value-added tax and fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

Seven projects with a total capacity of 320 MW are so far eligible for the 7.09 cents rate, the ministry said.

But the rate will not be applicable in the central Ninh Thuan Province, a key location for solar power development, since another plan has already been rolled out for projects with a capacity of under 2,000 MW that begin commercial operations before January 1, 2021. The earlier feed-in tariff of 9.35 cents will continue to apply.

Investors have claimed that reducing the feed-in tariff could demotivate investment in new plants.

Ninety one solar farms with a total capacity of 4,550 MW have begun operations, according to national utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN).

Most of them were built before June 30 to enjoy the price incentive, but the resultant surge in output overloaded the national grid, requiring an upgrade in the transmission infrastructure.

The licensed capacity has reached 25,000 MW, far exceeding the government’s initial target to of 4,000 MW by 2025.

Rooftop solar power expected to reach 2,000MW by 2020

The Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) anticipated that the capacity of rooftop solar power will reach approximately 2,000 MW by the end of 2020,contributing to ensuring power security.

Rooftop solar power development programme in Vietnam launched

The Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority of the Ministry of Industry and Trade launched a programme to boost the development of rooftop solar power in Vietnam at a workshop held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 25.

82 solar power plants connected to national grid

As of June 30, as many as 82 solar power plants with a combined capacity of 4,460MW had been connected to the national grid, according to the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) group.

Vina Solar Technology Co.,Ltd installs solar panel system for production

(BGO) – The Chinese invested Vina Solar Technology  Company Limited (in Van Trung Industrial Park, Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province) has recently installed and operated the solar panel system totally worth 15 billion VND (over 646,000 USD).

JA Solar project’s production value expected to hit about 10 trillion VND

(BGO) – After focusing on investment, the first phase of silicon wafer production and solar cell installation project of Chinese based JA Solar Group (in Quang Chau Industrial Park, Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province) has basically been completed. 

Source: VnExpress